I didn’t love Cuba. I didn’t hate it either. Looking back at my time in Cuba, some memories shine brighter than others. Here are a few of them. Not all are pleasant, but they are all definitely memorable.

I’m not going to sugarcoat it, as of right now, Sumba Island is still reserved for the most adventurous of travelers. The roads were bumpy and long. The lodgings were basic. The beaches were beautiful, but lacking in the most basic of infrastructure (no bathrooms, no cafes/restaurants, nothing but sand, water, and mangroves). I thought I’d been to deserted beaches before, but Sumba’s beaches took the phrase “deserted” beaches to a new level. But was it worth it? I think so. I’m so glad I went.